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Published: October 6th 2006
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22/7/06
Up around 7-30am awake long before lots of human movement people leaving early. Left the campsite at 9-00am and went back to Nourlangie rock more rock art and a look out. Back to main road and turn off for Jim Jim Falls, 60 kms of 4WD 2 other vehicles turned in just in front of us. Well when we got there after getting bogged twice (4WD became disengaged) it was heaving in the car park a job to find a parking place. 250m to a look out which was ok though very hot and a km to the falls over lots of huge rocks. I didn’t make it too hot and too heavy going over these huge boulders it was rock climbing not walking. Bim took lots of photos so all was not lost. By the time we got back to the car it was too late to go to twin falls so 60 kms back to main road and strayed at Cooinda Park. Engel was playing up but couldn’t get a power site. Caretaker of park was a right misery, cross we turned up at 4-30pm much too late he reckoned! Had a good cook up on the gas
Hardies Creek Crossing
Hairy crossing this one! Ranger reported LARGE crocodile in this area so didn't walk the crossing to check depth! rings to use up the perishable food, not any BBQs around which was unusual. Wanted to stay 2 nights and do some washing but didn’t like the atmosphere, bed at 7-30pm.
23/07/06
Awake early again and set off just before 9-00am. Drove by Warradjan Aboriginal Centre as Bim went in last time and turned off for Gunlom Waterfalls about an hour from the main road. Trouble just a few mins down the track, 3 youngsters from Belgium and Spain had just crashed their “wicked” camper van. They had skidded turned and flipped right over and came back up again. All ok apart from a few scratches, 2 other cars had already stopped and were helping clean up the mess. They had only left Darwin 3 days ago! Helped to load all their stuff in our car and took them back to a ranger station on the main road to use the phone to get assistance. The other car and caravan an older couple who had been on the road for 4 years then took them back to Cooinda to sort themselves out. So back down to Gunlom, a beautiful waterfall and easy 250m walk to get there, very hot
Mistake Creek
We were the only one's here. Saw our first Cane Toad - SERIOUS ++++ pest!!! though. Drove on to Gimbat picnic area for lunch (4WD only) to find the road completely washed away. Had a sandwich not a soul around. Stopped at Mary River Roadhouse for the night and treated ourselves to a room, heaven for $90. Put a couple of washes on and the Engel on charge before having a meal in the bar, did a bit of ironing before bed a 9-00pm a late night!
24/07/06
Lay in 'til around 8-00am, noisy night with the fridge and next doors toilet etc. Did the rest of the ironing and left at 9-45am everything clean and tidy, hot and sunny again. Back up the road to rock pool, some campers told us about it last night in the laundry! Very tranquil, no one there. A long thin waterfall flowing into a pool and channelling off into rivulets. Back onto the main road and into Pine Creek for lunch and a walk round the museum. Drove around a bit of a goldfield loop, not a lot to see, apart from a bit of burning and pushed on to Katherine. Got a fuse for Engel and some supplies from Woolworth’s. Drove out of town to Springvale
Homestead and booked a room again very basic but only $59. Watched a bit of TV and headed into town to find visitor centre for tomorrow. Rand Sara for long chat, Lisa in Spain and Aunties back from Gloucester. Told us about winning a rosette at Fordingbridge Show and driving to Romsey. Tried mum and dad but they were out, back to room and bed at 9-00pm.
25/07/06
Got up about 7-30 and away by 8-30am. Stopped at the Hot Springs in town on way to the visitor centre, saw a snake in the water. Couldn’t find any info on 4WD tracks so headed out to Katherine Gorge stopping for a coffee on the way. Absolutely heaving, so didn’t stop for a cruise up the river and too far to walk. Drove back on the Victoria Highway towards Timber Creek, stopping in a lay-by for a sandwich before pulling into Victoria River Roadhouse for the night. Parked up by 2-00pm an early stop for us had a walk down to the river and sat in the sun for the afternoon planning our route in Gregory Park tomorrow. Have already done over 2000 kms already, treated ourselves to dinner in
the roadhouse again.
26/07/06
Cold night but hot when we got up at 7-45am. Had coffee and toast in the roadhouse to save time. Filled up the sub tank and left just before 9-00am. Looked at a limestone waterfall dry at the moment but watermarks left, the gorge was closed so headed off on the Bullita Stock Route. Very rocky so snails pace to start with. Stopped for lunch at 2-00 and finished the route at 4-30am after lots of river crossings very quiet, glimpsed 2 other cars, Drove onto Timber Creek and parked up for the night at 5-00. Had instant noodles for tea and bed early as no lights.
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